Trusted sources can give you a personal touch, suggesting counselors they know and respect. A good counselor who truly cares about your well-being can see things from your perspective. They’ll listen without judgment and create a safe space where you feel comfortable opening up. The treatment plan is a dynamic document regularly reviewed and adjusted based on your progress and changing needs.
From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you. The last step is to apply for licensure or certification in your state. Addiction counselors may also work with specific populations, like teenagers, veterans or people with disabilities. The kind of counselor you want on your team is someone who will have your back and guide you with respect and compassion. Having someone who truly listens, understands what you’re going through, and creates a safe space to be open and honest can significantly impact your recovery. This may be the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium’s (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination or Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination.
Substance Abuse Counselor Licensure By State Guide
Becoming a substance abuse counselor is a challenging yet deeply rewarding career for those passionate about supporting individuals on their journey to recovery. These counselors provide crucial guidance and resources, helping clients understand the roots of their addiction, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and rebuild their lives. It takes about 315 hours of coursework plus an approximately six-month internship to earn a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification. Certifications are good for helping a substance use counselor find stable, legitimate work. Certified alcohol and drug counselor certification increases the professional credibility of the counselors. Further, it ensures that counselors are equipped with extensive education in addiction counseling.
How Effective Is Rehab and Drug Addiction Treatment?
As the prevalence of substance use disorder increases, many addiction counselors pursue an additional license as a mental health counselor. Substance use disorder can be treated with a number of different types of therapies. Individual cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful for substance use disorder, as can family therapy sessions with a substance use counselor. Support groups are also often widely used to help people with substance addictions or drug and alcohol misuse, and doctors and psychiatrists can help with pharmacological interventions for substance use disorder.
- Seeking counseling can be another important step to resolving these issues.
- An addiction counselor (substance abuse counselor) provides expert care and support to people who have substance use disorder (SUD), like alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder.
- From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you.
- You could also be experiencing feelings of shame and embarrassment regarding substance use or substance abuse.
- Following the initial assessment, counselors develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique circumstances.
A subtance use counselor may help you understand how substance use disorder and mental health challenges are connected. These counselors can also help you determine the cause of your substance use. Mental health counselors specializing in alcohol and drug dependency can also address the symptoms of a comorbidity while working to alleviate the effects of the alcohol or drug addiction. For example, mental health counselors can help clients understand how depressive feelings and thoughts may contribute to substance use. It’s important to distinguish between the various types of positions that are often referred to as “counselors” in the area of substance abuse and addictions therapy. Each treatment center has a unique set of staff titles that are created by their human resources departments.
Other Counseling Career Profiles
Several states have started recognizing substance abuse counselor the need for master’s-degree-level addiction counseling licensure and certification. But there are other reasons a graduate program is your best option if you’re looking for a long-term career in the substance use disorder (SUD) counseling field. You will gain valuable real-world experience working with highly qualified counselors. Most important, you will have the necessary skills to help more people.
Step 3: Complete Exams and Supervised Field Experiences
As an accredited institution of higher learning, our integrated addiction counseling programs include coursework in mental health and co-occurring disorders. While requirements vary by state, Hazelden Betty Ford’s certified addiction counselor training programs are some of the most widely respected in the country. Requirements may include degree type, curriculum, number of credits, accreditation, clinical experience, internships, and exams.
Schools offer fully online undergraduate and graduate degrees with a counseling speciality. Programs incorporate counseling, social work, and psychology into coursework. At Psychology.org we believe in providing trustworthy and actionable information about degree programs, careers, professional issues, and regional laws concerning the psychology, counseling, and social work professions. Our writers and editors leverage the latest data from primary sources across the site. The Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School creates transformative educational experiences for future leaders in evidence-based care for addiction and mental health disorders. To support mental healthcare by acting as a complete resource for students interested in entering or advancing their education in the counseling and psychology fields.
- While we primarily list psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors and social workers, in rare cases non-licensed providers (such as pastoral counselors) may be included after a rigorous review of their qualifications and experience.
- With this type of counseling, you and your counselor are usually the only people present during sessions.
- If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, substance abuse counselors are there to help you get sober, feel better, or simply take control of your life.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the highest 10% of substance abuse and mental health counselors in the U.S. earned an average of $89,920.
- If you’re thinking of seeking help to recover from substance abuse, there is hope.
Where do addiction counselors work?
Both offer benefits to individuals seeking help to recover from substance use disorder. If substance use has cost you friends or loved ones, then there may be a problem with substances that needs to be addressed. Moreover, if you find yourself having a hard time getting through the day without alcohol, drugs, or medication, then you likely have a substance use disorder. The exception may be if you have a diagnosed condition that requires the use of medication.
Professionals passionate about working with complex patients who struggle with impulse control, substance use, emotion regulation, and goal achievement may be interested in schooling for drug and alcohol counseling. Substance addiction therapy is a type of counseling that can be used to assist individuals in overcoming substance dependencies, including those involving alcohol and drugs. Professionals like a substance use counselor can provide support for people with substance use disorder. Substance abuse and addiction counselors can save lives and impact the drug epidemic that has only worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic. A reported 73,690 people died of drug overdoses in the 12-month period ending in April 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared to 67,727 deaths reported at the end of March 2019.
Counselors who work with substance-abuse clients may also be able to tell something about them based on specific behavioral and physical characteristics. If a person has the qualifying life experience of conquering addiction, they may be able to join the profession of substance abuse and addictions counseling with very little schooling. A person is considered to have useful knowledge in the field if they’ve been sober and clean for at least two years. Some experience in the field, through an internship or other supervised practice, will always be advantageous.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, substance abuse counselors are there to help you get sober, feel better, or simply take control of your life. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn the most in Alaska, New Jersey, Hawaii, Oregon, and California. Counselors in those five top-paying states earn an annual mean wage of $72,530-$88,870. Counseling as a career is ideal for someone interested in working with individuals and groups to improve mental, behavioral, and emotional concerns.